Chicago, Ill., May 30, 2004 / 22:00 pm
In accordance with a directive from their archbishop, priests of the Archdiocese of Chicago denied Communion yesterday to a group of homosexual activists from the American Sash Movement, reported Reuters.
Francis Cardinal George sent a memo to his priests, ordering them not to offer Communion to homosexual activists.
In his message, the cardinal said the Church teaches that "genital homosexual relations are objectively morally sinful" and that Rainbow Sash members "give witness to their opposition to the Church and her teaching as they come to Communion."
Rainbow Sash members have been quietly protesting on Pentecost Sunday for several years. However, recent events swelled attendance this year, reported Reuters.
More than a dozen men and women activists – baptized Catholics – participated at the Sunday mass at Holy Name Cathedral. However, they only received blessings at Communion time.
Joe Murray, a spokesman for the American Sash Movement, said he had received messages of support from around the country in response to the cardinal's message, reported Reuters. Murray also reportedly said he was disappointed that the prelate had not kept his promise to continue a dialogue on the subject.